BLooD

i pass your way everyday when i goto work

can`t help with used sellers, i only know dealers, theres stephen james ruxley and my local sytner in harold wood

Phantom Mark

For the sake of probably a few hundred pounds I would really consider the 525d or 530d, and make surely your driving habbits truly justify a Diesel because they are a total false economy unless your doing the mileage !

kcbabi

So would you recommend a petrol. On a monthly basis I probably do about 600 miles give or take - I sort of felt diesel would be better economy and cheaper car tax - difficult to try and offset against the price of a petrol/diesel as its going up at moment. I can't find many 520 sports in petrol and just think the 525 will be too juicy especially as majority of driving is to and from work approx 5 mile round trip!!

Phantom Mark

You wont get the best mileage from any diesel on those kind of trips tbh mate, you will get virtually the same from a Petrol, is it urban driving as well ? these diesels only really give you the superb economy on a Motorway or regular A road type driving, stop start driving kills the economy easily dropping to mid 20's.

Forget the 520, either a 525i or 530i sounds the more suitable vehicle IMHO, and its cheaper to buy, either of those cars have reasonable economy on a run as well and pretty similar on the short distances you mention if your gentle, not to mention the fuel price is cheaper as well.

kcbabi

Cheers PM

I've acutally just been and looked at a 520i sport - petrol, 49000 on the clock - lovely motor - only part leather but reckon that could be what your suggesting. I know you advise 525 to but been trawling round and can't find an example of spec I want for money. Thsi one was ?13995 with a private plate on it that I'd try and sell elsewhere. Just having looked at one again today - boy do I want to change - they're lovely motors!!!!

kcbabi

any thoughts on big motoring world?

Bob525D

I have owned my 2004 525D for a few months now, its a great car to drive really quick. I wont lie to you I have spent a fair bit of unexpected cash on the car since i got it, some of which was to improve the looks . I mostly drive urban with some 60's and i try to make a few motorway trips at least twice a week to clear things out. I get around 29.5MPG, having the autobox is great in jams but i recon it loses you about 4MPG.

I shyd away from the 530D due to thinking the economy would be really bad, now that I own a 525D i realise that it would be about the same from what i have read. If I could do it again i'd get the 530D. I also considered the 3 series but i decided on the 5 series because i have loved the style since it came out and i could believe i could afford one now. If you buy one try getting the Msport, it'll save you wanting to do it later and dont buy one in a colour you dont like.

kcbabi

I was lookng for the m sport and only wanted carbon black or grey - but have found a rather nice silver one today at 14K - only 64000 on the clock on a 55 plate. Looks very interesting. Thought as you said that m styling kit already helps out and avoids paying extra for upgrades...although I expect there will be a few mods!!!!!!!!!!

thanks for all comments so far

kadafi39

At a dealer youl be paying retails prices, look for a used one privately owned on autotrader and just make sure its got a few months warranty left on it.
With regards to consumption, i do mixed town and A road driving evryday, i go to college around 35miles away from my house and the A-road part of my journey takes 7 odd minutes mins, is less than 7/8miles, the rest is city driving, with birmingham traffic, i easily average 38mpg on my 520d and i have a very heavy right foot.
As people have said, the 520d is by no means a fast car, but then its not slow either, 0-60 in 8.3 seconds will leave behind most evryday cars you come across, the 525d is only 0.5 seconds quicker to 60, its definately not a different type of animal. With a remap on a 520d you will push a 525d

kcbabi

Any more thoughts guys. went to a dealer today and he tried pushing a 320d on me. Did explain what I wanted 5 series etc but he had nothing in stock so suprisingly pushed a 3series. Any common faults etc - sggestions what to look for? Possibly gonna go to an auction and see what I can get?